Depleted UNCG backcourt shows spark

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 12:28 AM.

The Spartans committed 10 turnovers in the game at N.C. State, lowering their turnovers per game to 13.4.

Since then, they’ve averaged 13.9 turnovers in seven games, with Sunday’s 12-turnover outing against Chattanooga the low mark during that stretch.

Van Dussen, who was a part-time starter as a freshman, had started all except 14 games across a three-season period until the injury. Initial projections were that he would miss four to six weeks, meaning a potential return in early February figures to be a best-case scenario for UNCG.

His recent elevation has helped compensate for the Spartans’ reduced backcourt. Still, coach Wes Miller said he’s pleased that UNCG is “not just a team that watches Trevis Simpson.”

Simpson has scored 30 and 41 points the past two games.

“He can get a quality shot on anybody at any point,” Miller said. “I don’t think they were contested shots or forced shots.”

Chattanooga coach John Shulman said the Spartans don’t necessarily run plays that make the difference.

“That’s not a play,” Shulman said, referring to an end-of-half scenario when Simpson canned a 3-pointer. “That’s a player.”

UNCG continues to play without senior guard Korey Van Dussen, who suffered a broken hand. He hasn’t played this month because of a practice injury that occurred shortly after the Spartans’ Dec. 31 loss at North Carolina State.

The Spartans committed 10 turnovers in the game at N.C. State, lowering their turnovers per game to 13.4.

Since then, they’ve averaged 13.9 turnovers in seven games, with Sunday’s 12-turnover outing against Chattanooga the low mark during that stretch.

Van Dussen, who was a part-time starter as a freshman, had started all except 14 games across a three-season period until the injury. Initial projections were that he would miss four to six weeks, meaning a potential return in early February figures to be a best-case scenario for UNCG.